Luella's Southern Kitchen
Luella's Southern Kitchen — honest soul food in Avondale. Order the Fried Chicken. Creative without being gimmicky. Well-priced, BYOB. "the chicken was very good, seasoned all the way through and tender" — Deedee Harris [$$, patio]
What 1,835 diners keep saying
What 1,835 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“We had a big group (9 people) on Juneteenth and your staff did amazing! Great food, great service, and everyone left full and happy! Also love that your new location has a patio. Thank you!!”
“We came for the pancakes we heard so much about and they did not disappoint! Very unique, HUGE, crispy on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside. The softest inside of any pancake we’ve ever had. The other food was also extremely delicious. The strawberry pudding french toast was unbelievably moist and incredibly delicious, as was the boudin biscuit sandwich. All the food was such a treat and the service and chefs were very kind and wonderful. Everything is made to order and super fresh. My wife and I highly recommend this place and definitely be coming back!”
“I’ve had Luella’s Southern Kitchen on my list for a while, and my friend and I finally made it in. They did not disappoint. It gives you a family dining room vibe. They were out of pancakes, but we tried the Nashville Hot Chicken and Waffles, strawberry cream French toast, biscuits and gravy, beignets, and a brisket egg pie. The chicken was cooked to perfection, and everything tasted fresh and made to order. The biscuits and gravy had a lot going on flavor wise, and I did not try them with the pimento cheese, but everything else was a hit. The only area for improvement I noticed was during table cleaning. Staff were spraying cleaning chemicals near customers’ food, and food was brought to the table immediately after handling the cleaning products. A little more attention to food safety practices would go a long way. Overall, the food was delicious, service was friendly, and I would definitely come back, especially to try those pancakes next time.”
“Im still FULL from these delicious 😋 pancakes. This black owned spot should be appreciated as they have a very enticing menu with that southern, underground feel! I would highly recommend supporting!”
“Amazing food and even better service! Big homie gave me an extra stack of pancakes to show TRUE southern hospitality — I will be coming back every time I’m in Chicago!”
“Best chicken & waffles in Chicago! Love the new location as well!”
“You don’t need to hop on a plane to New Orleans to experience truly authentic Southern cooking — it’s right here in Chicago at Luella's Southern Kitchen. From the first bite, it’s clear this isn’t just good Southern food — it’s the real deal. The shrimp and grits are absolutely outstanding. The grits are velvety smooth and buttery with that perfect, comforting texture, and the crab-stuffed shrimp are tender, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. The savory traditional New Orleans barbecue sauce pulls everything together beautifully, delivering what you’d expect from a classic Southern kitchen. And the beignets? Pure bliss. Light, airy, and served warm with a generous dusting of powdered sugar, they’re everything you’d hope for — crisp on the outside, soft and pillowy inside. One bite instantly transported me back to New Orleans without ever leaving my seat. All I needed was an au lait with coffee and chicory and it would have been perfect. The hospitality and cozy atmosphere only add to the experience. I loved the vinyl playing front to back at the entry of the space. It felt good to hear singers like Bill Withers and remember and admire how wonderfully produced their albums were while waiting for my meal. I felt like I was at a listening session, and it was grounding and peaceful. If you’ve been telling yourself you’ll wait until your next trip to New Orleans for authentic shrimp and grits or fresh beignets, don’t. You’ll find that same heart, flavor, and authenticity right here at Luella’s. I can't wait to return and check out other dishes they have to offer!”
“★★★★★ Brunch starts and ends here! Had the pleasure of enjoying a meal at Luella’s Soul Food Kitchen with one of my besties, and we were genuinely delighted with every ingredient brought to our table. Everything tasted fresh, seasoned with love, and served with the kind of warmth that makes you want to stay a little longer. If you’re craving comfort food that actually comforts pull up. Your tastebuds and your belly will be beyond indulged. Five stars, no hesitation! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”
“The staff is incredibly friendly, and the food is so rich and delicious. You could tell everything was made with love and was super fresh. Also, the portions are plentiful and the music is great (they play everything on vinyl). This place is def a hidden gem. Highly recommend!”
“Such a homey ambiance!! I felt right at home while my grandma was in the kitchen cooking up a good meal! I had the 3 course meal with deviled eggs for appetizer, catfish and grits for my main course, and bread pudding for dessert. I also ordered some beignets. Everything was sooo good, but the bread pudding and melt in your mouth beignets were the top hits!! The beignets were so soft and fluffy. The bread pudding was not overly sweet; it was JUST right! Super soft and a true delicacy. The service was great. Very attentive. I will definitely be back.”
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